Cazenovia Village Police Chief Michael Hayes this week was recognized as a top law enforcement officer in a 10-county area when he received the District 6 Law and Order Award from American Legion posts in those 10 counties.

“I am very honored to have received the District 6 award. The support of the American Legion, my family, officers, the village board and the Cazenovia Community leaves me speechless and humbled,” Hayes said.

The Law and Order Award is given annually to a police officer, firefighter or emergency responder in appreciation for the person’s years of service to his or her community.

Hayes received the local award from the Cazenovia American Legion Post 88 during its annual Law and Order Awards dinner in Munnsville in March. His name was then forwarded for consideration for the district award.

Hayes’s name and resume will now be submitted to the Department of New York, American Legion, Law and Order Committee, which consists of 10 districts representing 62 counties in New York state. If he receives that award, he would be nominated for the national award.

“Cazenovia should be proud to have their Police Department led by an officer with such an impressive resume and vast experience,” said Troop 88 Commander Richard Benner.

Hayes served 24 years as a full-time officer in the Madison and Oneida county sheriff’s offices, during part of which he was also a full-time narcotics investigator and SWAT team commander. Hayes also worked part time in both the Cazenovia and Chittenango village police departments, and became chief of the Cazenovia department in 2010.

Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].